A much-debated legend in baseball involves the New York Yankee’s slugger Babe Ruth at the plate facing the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field for game 3 of the 1932 World Series. According to the story, Ruth was enduring quite a bit of trash-talk from the Cubs’ bench, and he returned same: With the count at two balls and two strikes, Ruth pointed to the center field bleachers. On the next pitch, Ruth hit a home run right to those center field bleachers. The Yankees went on to win the game 7-5.

I had my own called shot (sort of) this weekend while leading a field trip to Couch Park in Stillwater. Couch Park doesn’t look particularly birdy at first glance, but it became very popular in 2007–2008 when both Red Crossbills and Rusty Blackbirds took up temporary residence there. We advertised this simple bird walk via the email list, and I announced it in my class of about 110 students. My prediction was that we would see “about 25” species, and the goal bird for the trip was Yellow-bellied Sapsucker.

A mild winter day at Couch Park. The park contains athletic fields, walking trails, shade trees, a pine grove, and strip of riparian forest with hackberry, pecan, cottonwood, elm, willow, and bald cypress. This park hosted Red Crossbills and Rusty Blackbirds during the winter of 2007–2008.

Ten of us gathered at 9:00 on a bright, chilly morning. Participants included Jerry Wilhm, Iris McPherson, and John Polo, plus 6 OSU students. We met at the 12th St. entrance and birded the “North Couch Park” area. Working the perimeter of the park took about an hour and half. We concentrated on taking the time to afford good looks of common species for the beginners in the group. They ended up with excellent views of Dark-eyed Juncos, Red-bellied Woodpeckers, Northern Flickers, and a Red-shouldered Hawk. Birds heard but not seen were a Belted Kingfisher and Eastern Bluebird.

Couch Park from above, in summer. Our route is in blue.

We returned to the parking area by 10:30, with 22 species on the list, and having missed the sapsucker. At this point the students were ready for brunch and the group disbanded. John Polo remained, however, and indicated that he would spend a little more time walking the riparian forest south of 12th St. Because we were ahead of my scheduled two-hour estimate for the trip’s duration, I had some time too, and agreed to join him.

Lonely Mallard on the creek, with the water lever about 10' too low.

This Carolina Chickadee was working on these buds for a mid-morning snack.

You know what happened next: The students weren’t gone 5 minutes before we picked up Mourning Dove and Northern Mockingbird, and just a little more patience revealed a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker! I returned to my car at 11:00 on the dot, with 25 species on the list, and Yellow-bellied Sapsucker among them. This one’s for you, Babe.

The thing that looks like a big snake staring down at you is the back of a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker.